For many, the childcare facility is simply a trusted environment responsible for the daily care of children while parents are at work. For others it is an environment focused not only the needs of children, but building the foundation for education and the healthy development of children of all ages. This same approach gives way to the differences between both the Daycare environment and that of the Child Development Center. Though both types of childcare centers are required to attain a license through the Department of Social Services, the difference in the way both are operated is what separates the two.
Many Daycare centers label themselves as Child Development Centers or Learning Centers, but in order to be properly characterized as such, the following characteristics must be present: consistent developmentally appropriate curriculum, nutritious meals, provide a safe and healthy environment inside and outside, developmentally appropriate toys and furniture, as well as appropriate teacher-child interactions. In addition to these factors, Child development centers also provide parents with developmental progress of their child through the use of checklists or reports and support these findings with portfolios filled with pictures and activities of the child’s performance or finished products of developmental achievements. Aside from the environment, however, the quality of the center can also be determined by its infrastructure or staff. Though it is mandated by DSS that teachers require 15 hours of training, as stated on page 14 of the South Carolina DSS Regulation handbook located at http://childcare.sc.gov, the quality of care provided is seldom appropriate within the Daycare environment because of low morale of the staff. All of these factors are closely related to the support provided by the owners, that of which is closely linked to the education and experience the owner possesses; therefore the first step to finding appropriate childcare should begin with a run down of the owner’s experience and education within the Childcare field.
Comments